encourage
verb (used with object)
to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
encouraged
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past participleof encourage.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof encourage.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
encourageverb (used with object)to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The school has also invested in a wider range of books in the library, where reading for pleasure at lunchtime is encouraged.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
He also encouraged her to follow his example in seeking bipartisan support for the Smithsonian.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
“My dad encouraged me to try out and I loved it from the start,” said Hedricks, who is the school’s all-time leader in interceptions with 45.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
In addition to checking off my goals, I was also heavily encouraged to shop for my bird’s closet, furnish his apartment, and complete the in-app quests.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026
There were two specific triggers that encouraged Copernicus to come up with something better than the Ptolemaic model.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
